Skydive in aid of charity that helped blast burns mum

A MOTHER whose face was badly burned in an explosion has backed her family and friends as they prepare to leap out of an aeroplane to raise money for the charity that helped her through the difficult first weeks of her recovery.

A MOTHER whose face was badly burned in an explosion has backed her family and friends as they prepare to leap out of an aeroplane to raise money for the charity that helped her through the difficult first weeks of her recovery.

Ashford residents Matt Edwards, 32, Lucy Carter, 31, and Dan Blackwell, 33, are set to make a leap from 10,000 feet so they can raise funds for the Restoration and Appearance and Function Trust (RAFT), a charity that carries out research into skin repair.

The charity is close to the friends’ hearts after Matt’s wife Jemma was burnt in an accident at home in 2008 when a garden gel burner exploded. It happened eight weeks after she gave birth to their son, William.

She was left with 20% burns across her body and needed immediate specialist treatment at the Chelsea and Westminster Burns Unit.

Her recovery was made more emotionally difficult as, owing to the risk of infection, babies were not allowed on the ward.

Matt, of Village Way, said: “Through Jemma’s accident we were suddenly made aware of both the physical and psychological impacts of being burned.

“Some people that we met were so scarred it made us realise that Jemma was one of the lucky ones.

“It’s not simply the burn that can be traumatic but it is the aftermath and getting used to looking differently and this is where vital support, such as that provided by RAFT, is so important.

“We are determined to raise money to ensure they can continue with the wonderful work that they do and aim to take part in further fundraising challenges for the cause in the future.”

The group has so far raised £600 and is hoping to quadruple it before the big day on Sunday, April 22.

This will be the third time her family has taken part in fundraising activities for the cause, having run in the Brighton half marathon and the London Marathon.

RAFT chief executive Leonor Stjepic added: “We are so grateful that Jemma’s family has once again teamed together to raise a considerable amount of money in aid of our charity.”